Extensible tables



1962 G. BELLOMO 3,059,981

EXTENSIBLE TABLES Filed June 1. 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. G I OVAMBATT ISTA BELLOMO ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1962 e. BELLOMO EXTENSIBLE TABLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 1, 1960 'INJZEN TOR.

b GIOVAMBATTISTA amomo ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1962 G. BELLOMO EXTENSIBLE TABLES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 1, 1960 INVENTOR. TISHTA 'azuoMo GIOVAMBA? ATTORNEY Oct. 23, 1962 G. BELLOMO 3,059,981

EXTENSIBLE TABLES Filed June 1, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M Q Q 2 W W m m I k1 T I. z 3 m N M N s 2 Q N llvlllllllllll I HI {A 4 J s r mw k ilm i w? I m v M a a m .2 a w a w E Q H mm a a a a 5 B, rm 2 ml W Q g v J I L T ATTORNEY ie States atent flhm dfifihfldl Patented Oct. 23, 1%62 3,0599%1 EXTENSEBLE TABLES Giovambattista Bellomo, 847 S. 18th St., Newark, NJ. Filed June 1, 1960, Ser. No. 33,303 6 Claims. 3!. 311-47) This invention relates to extensible tables and particularly to tables which are adapted for dining room use or as coffee tables in a home. The invention is also adaptable for other uses which require tables to be readily extended in length.

In the use of extensible tables as dining tables there has always been a number of problems, among these the storage of the extra leaf, the provision of a leaf which matches both the top surface of the table and the skirt around the edge of the table. Also, there has been the problem of supporting the table when the table is extended by one or more leaves, because in the usual extensible table the legs are affixed at the corners of the table and therefore, as the ends of the table are moved outwardly, the legs also move outwardly. Where attempts to overcome the foregoing problems have been made, the mechanisms have been cumbersome and unreliable.

It is an important object of this invention to provide an extensible table wherein the leaf is stored within the table body and is provided with a skirt portion which substantially matches the skirt of the rest of the table and wherein the legs of the table are in proper supporting position, both in the extended and closed positions, the entire mechanism being readily operable from the closed position to the extended position, and being easily and automatically returned from the extended position to the closed position.

Another object is to provide a latch mechanism which automatically locks the leaf against accidental displacement when in the raised or lowered positions.

The invention comprises essentially a table having a frame to which four legs are attached, keyways in said frame, a member slidably mounted in said keyways on the frame, one portion of the table top being connected to a slidable member, and a central leaf being connected to the frame for vertical movement in response to the slidable movement of the movable portion of the top of the table along the keyways of the frame, including in terconnecting latching means for positioning camming means on the frame and the leaf to raise the leaf to table level and to lower the leaf below table level, as desired.

For a more complete description of the invention reference is made to the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a table embodying the invention in the closed or non-extended position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective View of the table shown in FIG. 1 in the extended or open position with the central leaf raised into position and with the side skirt of the leaf folded down;

FIG. 3 is a view of the underside of the table showing the operative mechanism therefor, with the table in the closed position;

FIG. 4 is a partial view of the underside of the table with one of the top portions of the table in extended or open position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of the table taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3, showing the mechanism structure more clearly;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal side sectional view taken along the line 66 in FIG. 3, showing further details;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal side view taken along the line 77 in FIG, 4, wherein the change in position of the parts relative to each other may be compared with FIG. 6;

FIGS. 8, 9 and show respectively the positions of the latching members as follows:

In FIG. 8 the latch members are in the position normally occupied when the table is in the closed position;

FIG. 9 shows the parts as the table is extended so that the latch mechanisms engage each other preparatory to the central leaf being raised; and

FIG. 10 shows the manner in which the latch mechanisms disengage, whereby the leaf member is caused to return to its lowered position prior to the closing of the table.

Referring to the drawings, the table consists of a frame member which can be seen from underneath the table and, as best shown in FIG. 3, the frame consisting of cross-members Ill and longitudinal member 12. Legs 13, which are shown in section in FIG. 3, are affixed to the cross-members 11 but may be positioned in any desired location on the frame. The cross-members 11 are connected to the longitudinal members 12 by suitable means, such as screws 15. The top of the table is divided into two top portions 16, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. These top portions include an upper surface and a skirt portion which extends down from the top surface. The top portions are connected to cross-frames 18 which in turn are connected to longitudinal members 20 and 21. The longitudinal members 20 and 21 are keyed to slidably engage in keyways, provided on the sides of the longitudinal ele ments 12 of the main frame of the table, so as to permit the outward and inward sliding of the two top portions of the table with respect to the main frame and the legs. It will be appreciated that with this arrangement of parts, it is possible to extend the table of this invention without the necessity of lifting the table so that the legs may also slide outwardly and inwardly.

A central leaf 22 is positioned for vertical slidable movement inside the frame. Three guiding members are provided. These are a central longitudinal member 23 and two outer longitudinal members 25. The central longitudinal guide member 23 is keyed at its ends 26 in keyways 27 formed in elements 28 attached to the main frame member 12. The outer longitudinal guide elements of the leaf member are adapted to slide vertically in contact with the frame elements 20 of the two end portions of the table. Spring elements 30 which are best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are connected to the longitudinal members 12 of the main frame and are connected to the underside of the leaf so as to bias the leaf element 22 downwardly against the main frame.

In order to automatically raise the table leaf into position coplanar with the two top portions 16, as shown in FIG. 2, merely by pulling the end portions 16 apart and also to retract the central leaf to its position below the table top portions 16 in the closed position, shown in FIG. 1, the following mechanism is provided: Four pairs of latch members are provided, the structure and action of all pairs being the same, the description of one of which will sufiice to indicate the action of all. It will be noted that all of the pairs of latch members operate at the same time. Each latch member consists of a hook element 31 which is pivotally mounted on the crossframe 15 at 32 and is resiliently biased inwardly by a spring 33 so that the shank of the hook engages the abutment 35. In this location, the hook member 31 is in operational position for engagement with latch member 36, the latter being pivotally mounted at 37 to the crosselement 18 of one of the tip portions 16. The latch member 36 is biased inwardly into a slidable element 38 having cam surfaces for effecting the raising of the center leaf. The slidable element 38 has formed therein a slot 40 into which extends a pin 41 fixed in the crossmember 18, the slidable element 38 being adapted for the longitudinal sliding motion relative to the longitudinal axis of the table with respect to the member 18, to the ex- 3 tent that such movement is possible with the pin 41 sliding in the slot 40.

The outer side of the element 38 is provided with a notch which has two abrupt walls 42 and 43 and two cam surfaces 45 and 46 are also provided in the sliding element 38. There is a raised area 47 and an angularly disposed ramp 48 extending upwardly to said raised portion 47.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 the action of the two latch mem bers 31 and 36 and the slidable element 38 are shown.

As the top portion 16 is moved outwardly to the extended position, the assembly which includes the latch member 36 and the slidable element 38 moves with the table top. The latch element 31, which is fixed to the frame, and the legs remain stationary and the face 50 of the latch element 31 engages the cam surface 46 as the table top and the assembly attached to it encounter the latch member 31 in its passive movement, the slidable element 38 prior to engagement of the latch means 31 and 36 having been held in the position shown in FIG. 8, i.e. with the pin 41 engaging the right-hand end of the slot 40. The face 50 of the latch 31 slides along the cam surface 46 and the end 51 of the member 31 en gages the face 52 of the latch member 36 and earns it out of the notched recess defined by the walls 42. and 43 in the slidable member 38. The position of the parts after the camming out of the latch element 36 by the latch element 31 is shown in FIG. 9. In this position the table top has been fully extended and the leaf 22 has been raised by lift rollers 56 rotatably attached to the leaf, having engaged the arm 48 and moved upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 9 on the raised portion 47. In order to permit the leaf portion to make the transition from the lowered position to the coplanar raised position, the top portions move slightly beyond their final position engaging the leaf. The next step, therefore, is to move the top portions inwardly to engage the leaf portion. As the two parts are moved together, hook 55 of the latch element 31 engages the abutment 42 of the recess in the slidable member 38 so as to hold the member against accidental displacement while the leaf is in the raised position, that is, it prevents accidental displacement of the leaf downwardly. It also slides the member 38 to the full-line position shown in FIG. 10.

In order to close the. table and to move the leaf into the lower position, the table top is moved away from the leaf into the fully extended position. In this latter position, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 10, the abutment 35 formed on the plate 61 engages the side 62 of the slitable member and pushes it from the position shown in full line in FIG. 10 to the dotted line position of that figure. The hook portion 60 of the latch element 36 engages the abutments 43, which engagement serves to retain the slidable member 38 in the dotted line position shown in FIG. 10, which is the same position shown in FIG. 8, wherein the parts are in position for a new cycle.

The leaf may be provided with hingedly mounted skirt portions 65, mounted on hinges 66 to the underside of the leaf, which can be moved into the position shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. In the retracted position shown in FIG. the leaf skirt portions 65 may be held against rattling by springs 67. A skirt 65 is provided on each side of the leaf to enhance the appearance of the table in the extended position by giving continuity to the skirt 17 which is provided around the table top portion 16. The general aspect of the table is thus improved.

It will be noted from the foregoing description that the objects of the invention, of providing an extensible table wherein the leaf is stored within the table and is provided with a skirt portion which matches or is complementary to the skirt of the rest of the table, are achieved; and furthermore that the invention provides an extensible table wherein the legs of the table are in proper supporting position both in the extended and closed positions. In

addition it will be appreciated that the invention provides a simple automatic means of storing a leaf and of raising it from stored position into the coplanar usable position merely by moving the table top portions 16 from their closed position to their extended position and that the leaf is automatically locked against accidental lowering when in the raised position and accidental raising when in the lowered position. The invention also makes it easy to return the leaf to the closed position when it is no longer needed. With this invention the legs and the basic frame of the table remain in the same position and it is not necessary, therefore, to raise the table 01f the floor in order to move the extensible top portions from the closed to the open position. The advantages to be derived from this arrangement are that the table is properly supported from centrally located legs, whether in the extended or in the closed position, and therefore it is not necessary to lift the table off the floor in order to operate the mechanism.

In order that the table may be conveniently gripped at the ends, the elements 11 are cut out at 14 to permit any one operating the table to grasp the skirt portions 16 at the opposite ends of the table, as best shown in FIG. 3.

Cables 70 are provided which pass around pulleys 71 rotatable on vertical axes 72 on frame members 11. The cables are fastened to the two cross-frames 18 by having the ends of the cables attached to the shanks of pins or bolts 75, 75a upon which have been threaded nuts 76, 76a. The bolt 75 is fixed to one of the cross-frames 18 of one movable top portion 16 and the bolt 75a is fixed to the other cross-frame 18 of the other movable top portion 16 of the table.

With that arrangement of the cables 70 and pulleys 71, the outward movement of one of the top portions 16 will cause equal and opposite outward movement of the other top member, for as one top member moves out the cable fixed to the pin 75 will pull upon the cable passing around the more remote pulley 71 and cause the pin 75a to be drawn toward said pulley. The movable top portion to which the pin 75a is attached will therefore move an amount equal to the movement of the top portion to which the pin 75 is fixed.

If desired, suitable locking means may also be provided such as, for example, hook element 80 pivoted at the pin 81, which is adapted to engage pin or post 82. Members 80 and 81 may be mounted as shown in FIG. 3, on one cross member 18, and the pin 82 on the other adjacent cross member 18.

In the foregoing description a presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described. However, it will be understood that various changes of elements and arrangements of parts may be made within the general scope of the invention which is defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an extensible table of the type having a fixed leg supported frame, a pair of table top sections slideably mounted on said frame for conjoint horizontal displacement in opposite directions relative thereto intermediate a first continguous position and a second separated position and a table top leaf assembly displaceable from a lowered position beneath said top sections when the latter are in their first position to an elevated position coplanar with and intermediate said top sections when the latter are in their second position, an improved construction for raising and lowering said table leaf comprising means normally biasing said leaf in lowered position, cam surface means mounted on said leaf assembly, cam slide assembly means displaceable in conjunction with said top sections including cam slide means independently displaceable relative to said top sections intermediate a retracted and an advanced position and a first latching means for normally latching said cam slide means in retracted position, second latching means mounted on said fixed frame for latchedly engaging said retracted cam slide means and delatching said first latching means from latched engagement therewith upon opening displacement of said top sections from their contiguous to their separated positions concurrently with en gagement of said retracted cam slide means with said cam surface means to raise said leaf to its elevated position intermediate the separated top sections, said latched engagement of said second latching means with said cam slide means serving to maintain said cam slide means in leaf elevating engagement with said cam surface means by effecting displacement of said cam slide means from its retracted to its advanced position during return displacement of said top sections from their separated position into abutting relationship with said elevated leaf assembly.

2. The construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein displacement of the top sections from abutting relationship with the elevated leaf assembly into their separated position effects disengagement of said second latching means from said cam slide means and displacement of the latter from its advanced position into its retracted position in latching engagement with said first latching means whereby said cam slide means is disengaged from said cam surface means to effect lowering of said leaf assembly to its lowered position during return displacement of said top sections to their first continguous position.

3. The construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said top sections are provided with a peripheral dependent skirt portion and said leaf assembly is provided with dependent skirt portions pivotally displaceable from a first position adjacent the undersurface of the leaf to a second position in substantial alignment with the dependent skirt portions of said top sections when said top sections are disposed in separated position.

4. In an extensible table of the type having a fixed leg supported frame, a pair of table top sections slideably mounted on said frame for conjoint horizontal displacement in opposite directions relative thereto intermediate a first contiguous position and a second separated position and a table top leaf assembly displaceable from a lowered position beneath said top sections when the latter are in their first position to an elevated position coplanar with and intermediate said top sections when the latter are in their second position, an improved construction for raising and lowering said table leaf comprising means normally biasing said leaf assembly in lowered position, cam surface means mounted on said leaf assembly, cam slide means displaceable with said top section into operative lifting engagement with said cam surface means upon displacement of said top sections from their contiguous to their separated positions to elevate said leaf assembly to its elevated position intermediate said separated top sections, means for maintaining said cam slide means in operative lifting engagement with said cam surface means during return displacement of said separated top sections into contiguous abutting relationship with said elevated leaf assembly.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 4 including means for displacing said cam slide means out of lifting engagement with said cam surface means during outward displacement of said top sections from contiguous abutting relationship with said elevated leaf section to their separated position and means for maintaining said cam slide means out of lifting engagement with said cam surface means during return displacement of said separated top sections to their first contiguous position.

6. in a table having a fixed leg supported frame, a slideable top portion and a leaf displaceable intermediate a raised and lowered portion in the frame, the improvement comprising cam means displaceably mounted on the slideable top portion and displaceable in conjunction therewith adapted to displace the table leaf from its lowered to its raised position as the table top is displaced to a limiting position, latch means for engaging said slideable cam means at the limit of outward displacement of said top portion for retaining said cam means in leaf raising position as said table top is returnably displaced from its limiting position inwardly to abut the sides of the raised leaf, means for disengaging said latch means from said slideable cam means during displacement of said table top from abutting relation with the raised leaf to its limit position and mean for concurrently displacing said cam slide means and said table top during return displacement of said table top from its limit position to its starting position to permit lowering of said leaf member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 816,791 Goller Apr. 3, 1906 835,609 Goller Nov. 13, 1906 1,149,964 Steingruber Aug. 10, 1915 1,325,458 Wielage Dec. 16, 1919 1,543,442 Kokesch et a1 June 23, 1925 1,877,314 Herbert Sept. 13, 1932 1,935,531 Walter Nov. 14, 1933 2,050,561 Crosno Aug. 11, 1936 

